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Important Annual Insurance Requirement

All students are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for 2023-2024. Before June 15th, you may waive out of the plan if you meet the requirements and provide proof of insurance.

Annually, all incoming and returning students are required to provide the Student Health Center with proof of health insurance coverage. This applies even if your insurance remains the same from last year. It is the student’s responsibility to contact their health insurance provider to find out how their coverage works while a student is attending school.  Please be certain that your private or state sponsored health insurance plan will cover a student away from home. Services away from home, such as blood tests, MRI’s, x-rays, behavioral health and care from a specialist are often not covered under a private or state sponsored insurance plan. If you choose to waive the student health insurance plan please look carefully at in-network vs. out-of-network costs and check to see if your health insurance plan covers southeast Pennsylvania.

REQUIREMENTS:  All enrolled students must be insured. If your private or state sponsored insurance plan meets the following requirements, you may waive the student health insurance plan through the online waiver site.

  • Effective through the academic year (notify student health immediately if you should have a change or loss of coverage)
  • Provide for emergency and urgent care locally
  • Cover local hospital admissions, diagnostic testing, prescription drugs, mental health visits, physician office visits, labs through LabCorp.

Any medical services provided outside of Student Health and Wellness Service are billed directly to the student's insurance company by that medical provider. For example, emergency room care, hospital services, radiology services, and medical specialists will be billed directly to the student's health insurance provider.

It is the responsibility of the insured student to contact their insurance provider for pre-certifications and/or referrals as needed. The Student Health and Wellness Service does not directly bill medical insurance plans. Any labs done at SHWS will be billed through the student's health insurance company. It is the responsibility of the insured person to understand and request information from their insurance company regarding covered services.

**If your insurance status changes, notify student health services immediately. Enrollment to the Student Health Insurance Plan must be done within 31 days of the loss of other coverage.

Insurance FAQ's

Student Health Insurance Plan Questions? Contact Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at (833) 255-0743 or Gallagher help center.

Financial aid eligibility Questions?  Contact Financial Aid at  finaid@swarthmore.edu.